Buffs Claim Exhibition Win Over UCCS

BOULDER — The University of Colorado women's basketball team won its first exhibition game of the season by defeating the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 80-45, Friday night at Coors Events/Conference Center.

Colorado extends their exhibition record to a perfect 17-0 all time.

Junior Jackie McFarland had a game high 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. Center Kara Richards, playing in her first game since 2004-05 after sitting out last season with a fracture in her left foot, had 14 points, on 6-of-9 from the field, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Colorado's back court duo of redshirt freshman Bianca Smith and junior Susie Powers had solid beginnings to their CU careers. Powers dished out a game-high nine assists against just one turnover and had three rebounds and a steal. Smith Smith pitched in eight points with three steals and two assists.

"Going into the game I was really excited to get back in there," Powers said. "After red shirting last year, I was excited to go out there and play with the great players and coaches I am surrounded by."

Colorado used a 27-2 run over a 14:51 span of the first half to build a 31-point lead at 40-19 just before halftime. UCCS made just 15 percent from the floor in the first half (4-of-26), while the Buffaloes hit 44 percent (14-32).

Colorado was even better from the field in the second half hitting 58.6 percent (17-of-29), finishing the contest at 50.8 percent (31-of-61). The taller Buffaloes also had 13 steals and out rebounded the Mountain Lions 46-39.

"I thought this was a really good challenge for us at this point of the season," CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. "We have had very few practices so I am still learning a great deal about this team. Trying to play 14 or 15 players in this short amount of time led to some lapses that we were not extremely happy with but overall as far as rebounding, shot selection and taking care of the basketball I was pretty pleased."

Nine different players scored for Colorado on the night. Senior Jasmina Ilic had nine points. Freshman Aija Putnina had nine points, four rebounds and three steals.

Emily Jenkins had a team-high 13 points for UCCS. Nancy Hoist had 11 points, nine rebounds and five steals.

The Buffs next action will come on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. in the Coors Events Center. They will take on the Colorado School of Mines in their second and final exhibition game of the year.